Update: Today’s the final day. USMMA is in second, behind West Point, by about one percentage point of participation. And those young punks from the Class of ’92 are once again leading the USMMA pack. I’m hoping that my Class of ’82, with only 18 donors so far, is just reverting to old Academy habits and putting things off to the last minute — now’s the time folks! This is about participation, not dollars. So even if times are hard, if you can dig through the sofa seat cushions and come up with $5, that’s all it takes. Forgo your Starbucks Latte, use their bathroom for free, and click on this link to donate.
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Today is the first final day of the All-Academy Challenge. The challenge is between the five federal academies to see which academy can have the highest percentage of alumni contributing to support their respective academy. This is the third year the challenge has been held and USMMA has never been beaten. We are looking for a three-peat. You can donate at this link.
Donations by KP alumni go to the USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation (“AAF”). Throughout the past several years the AAF has worked tirelessly — often behind the scenes — to try to advance the interests of Kings Point midshipmen. My classmate, Marilyn Livi, along with the AAF’s Legislative Outreach Coordinator, Brian Foy (’83) have become familiar faces on the Hill: Working on the ongoing effort to get sea year back to where it was before the stand down cancellation; explaining to members of Congress the importance of exempting USMMA from government shutdowns; and generally educating Congress about the Academy. Despite the adverse circumstances of the past several years, the AAF has walked a diplomatic tightrope without losing focus on its mission to support the Academy and, most important, the midshipmen. Important gifts such as the Lower Roosevelt Field project, the gymnasium floor, and general support to many different midshipmen activities continued to flow to the school for the benefit of the midshipmen even as the previous administration was openly hostile to the AAF. For the complete list of where the $4,666,717 in gifts from the AAF in 2017 alone — made possible by the generous alumni, parents, companies and other supporters of the Academy — went, click here.
I encourage all alumni (sorry, only alumni can participate) to contribute to the All-Academy Challenge. Even if you’ve already given the most you can give for this year, consider making the minimum donation of $5.00; because, what counts towards the win is participation, not quantum. (Participation is an important metric when non-profits seek support from companies or grant-giving institutions.) And if times are tough, consider logging on and giving the $5.00 minimum. It will still be an important contribution. Finally, if you haven’t given yet this year, the next five days are an ideal time to do so. I just used the opportunity to re-up for the Flying Bridge. You can donate at this link.
Throughout the next five days, the Challenge will also update the donations by class from KP. For my classmates in the class of ’82, I believe we came in second last year to those young punks from the Class of ’92. Let’s not let that happen again. (For the Class of ’82, our 5 cents a day goal is $657 per classmate). Hint: You can donate at this link.
We donated. Daughter passed Coast Guard licensing this week! Donate to this cause; it is money well spent! I can’t express how important a vibrant Merchant Marine is to the National Security to our country.
Congratulations and smooth sailing to your daughter and to all the mids graduating this year. Along with the class of 2017, they suffered the most from the stand down. Their graduation on time is particularly sweet.
Correction, 2017 was not affected by the Sea Year cancellation. Both A and B splits in 2017 completed Sea Year just as cadets were being pulled off ships. 2018B completed 2/3 of their Sea Year and 2018A completed 1/3 before the cancellation. They were the first group to suffer but still had some “normal” training. The class most effected are 2019 as 100% of their Sea Year training was/is under the “new normal.” Lack of training platforms, lack of tankers, and many days spent dockside or on training ships (a true dark moment in the history of Kings Point) were cobbled together and called sea days.